By Scott Haugen

Sitting at the base of an old oak tree, rain dripping from the bill of my cap, I hadn't heard a bird all morning. Cool nights and wet days had made for a string of empty hunting days, but I knew birds were in the area. No matter what call I pulled out of the pack, no bird responded.

Not only were the birds inactive but the toms were also staying in their roosts well past 10 a.m. Competing against nature was frustrating, but persistence eventually paid off. Before the 2003 Oregon spring turkey season ended, I had filled two tags and had some great-tasting birds to show for my efforts.

What stood out foremost in my mind - along with many turkey hunters throughout Oregon - was what impact the wet spring would have on nesting success. Throughout all of western Oregon, heavy rains and cold nights plagued hunters all season long. East of the Cascades, snow blanketed many hunters' decoys on opening weekend, and well into May. But there is good news.

Preliminary Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife surveys showed strong overall production of birds from last spring, despite the inclement weather. In fact, hatch success appears to be well above average, as the wettest months were in April and May, prior to brooding.

Most turkey mortality occurs during or soon after hatching. Fortunately, by the time the egg incubation period came to an end last spring, temperatures around the state warmed up and rainfall subsided. As a result of the early rains, grasses and other food sources flourished, creating a rich environment for the young turkeys to thrive. Taller, fuller vegetation provided protection from predators during the vulnerable summer months.

Reports from deer and elk hunters around the state last fall only confirmed the fact that Oregon's turkeys faired well, with large numbers of fall flocks being reported. Not only were these birds being seen in traditional turkey hotspots but also in new territory as well. This means the stage is set for what could well be the best spring ever for Oregon turkey hunters.

Author Scott Haugen coaxed this tom into bow range a few miles northeast of Eugene. Photo courtesy of Scott Haugen

As bird numbers have become well established, it's no secret they tend to gravitate to many private land settings west of the Cascades. A good percentage of birds are behind locked gates or posted fences. But as bird numbers continue to rise, so to does the level of destruction they impart on private land establishments.

I know of several hunters who, last spring, took to the area between Corvallis and Roseburg, knocking on doors in search of turkey hunting opportunities. Unlike in the past, many of them were greeted with open arms and granted hunting permission. Some of them even filled their bonus tags.

It seems the novelty of having turkeys around the property has worn out some land owners, and given the level of damage a single flock is capable of inflicting, some of these folks are now granting permission to hunters for help managing the situation. Mind you, it's still likely that the majority of answers to serve your hunting requests will be "no," but also keep in mind it only takes one "yes" to turn the entire season around.

Douglas County is still the top-producing turkey spot in the state, with the Golden Triangle (Elkton to Drain to Sutherlin) being about the best you'll find anywhere in the nation. "There is a great deal of private land in this area," offers fourth generation Elkton resident and veteran turkey guide Jody Smith. "But there is some landlocked public land, and hunters seeking permission to access these areas have been finding more success in recent years."

Smith points out that the area around Rice Hill, Red Hill and Yoncalla are also rich in birds, with scattered hunting opportunities available as well. East of this area, Scotts Valley Road, all along London Road, to Cottage Grove is also seeing a large influx of birds.

DRESSED FOR TOMS Proper clothing is essential for hunting in the turkey woods.   Head-to-toe camouflaged clothing is ideal, including gloves and facemask. Avoid wearing bright clothing, especially reds, whites or blues, which resemble a gobbler's head coloration this time of year. This is especially important when hunting on public land.   Above all else, keep movement to a minimum, as turkeys have incredible eyesight. Regardless of your camo, the hunt can go awry if a bird sees you move. If you must move to get positioned for a shot, do so when an approaching tom is displaying with his back to you, or when cover obscures his head.   Mixing camo patterns can be ef-fective; green pants blend with grass, brown-toned tops match tree trunks. Also consider using a camo ground blind. -- Scott Haugen

Looking south of the community of Wilbur, North Bank Road, stretching from Interstate 5 to the town of Glide has held birds for years. This is all private land, some of which is leased by guides, but some hunters have found luck getting permission to chase turkeys along some places here.

Much of the Roseburg area is also rich in turkey numbers, though the once-famed Tiller region is continuing to decline in bird numbers. This is not unusual for regions that have been transplanted with birds. In the case of Tiller, which sits at a bit higher elevation, the lack of logging and the increased predation have taken their toll on bird populations. This cycle can be typical in turkey transplant areas.

Josephine and Jackson counties continue as top-producing bird areas. "This season we plan on operating some hunts out of Ashland," offers Smith. "There are some really good areas down there holding good, long-bearded toms." Smith points out that in the area here, and around his home in Elkton, he's seen more birds in past months than he can ever recall.

Grants Pass on over to Medford and along the Rogue River are also prime lands thriving with turkeys. For those looking for a more coastal bird hunting setting, Gold Beach, in Curry County, is about as good as it gets. While birds can be found in this area, along with a few scattered flocks along the lower Rogue and Coquille rivers, hunters should note most are on private land or surrounded by thick cover which makes for tough hunting conditions. There are a few birds dispersed along the central and northern coast, though not enough to make traveling to this area for a hunt worth the time and effort unless you know a landowner.

In the Willamette Valley, successful relocation efforts have taken place on Weyerhaeuser land near Marcola, Brownsville and Harrisburg. Some birds have moved on to Rosboro Lumber Company land north of Eugene, though written permission is required from the Springfield-based office to get through their gates.

East of Eugene, the Crow area, on down to Lorane and east to Lowell has been growing in popularity among local gobbler hunters. Again, this is largely a private land show, but there seems to be a good percentage of understanding land owners in this area.

Bird numbers on the valley floor between Monroe and Salem are also worth scouting. Concentrate most of your efforts around the smaller, outer towns both east and west of I-5. Farmlands, Christmas tree areas and riparian sections are all becoming turkey hotbeds in this region of the state.